St. Mary of the Rock

 Although built and owned by the Catholic parish of the same name, this school has always been operated as a public institution.  Some very good and prominent teachers have been on the faculty over the years.  Among them was Charles REIFEL, the father of the late president of the Franklin County National Bank, William REIFEL.  Mr. REIFEL abandoned teaching to become an elected official of Franklin County.  Mr. Henry MEYERS also taught here and likewise abandoned teaching when he was elected Franklin County Clerk of Courts.  Later, he became the first permanent director of the Franklin County Welfare Department.  At another time, a Mr. TERRY and a Mr. MUNCHEL were also on the faculty.  The school itself consisted of but two large rooms each housing four grades.  Among the graduates of the school was Florence GRUNKEMEYER, who later obtained a doctorate degree and taught at Ball State University.

                                                                                                Elmer E. Peters, MD,

May 21, 1995